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Lake McKenzie
We chose to take a train from the Sunshine Coast to Maryborough / Hervey Bay.
We were on the Spirit of the Outback on the way there and the Tilt Train on
way back. The trip was $100 return for me including the bus from Maryborough
to Hervey Bay, which I thought was decent when you consider fuel prices and
how much more relaxing it is. The trains were both very comfortable, easy to
arrange and have great facilities.
One thing you need to know about trains (and planes) is that you cannot take
methylated spirits, gas canisters or matches in your luggage or carry-on. Our
stove (a Trangia) uses metho so we had to find a way to buy that at Hervey Bay,
which turned out to be easy thanks to our lovely YHA manager.
We stayed the first and last nights at the Hervey Bay YHA (Colonial Village
Youth Hostel) and would not stay anywhere else. This was our second visit there
and the staff, rooms and facilities are without fault. We checked in to a double
room with a bathroom in under a couple of minutes. It was 7.15pm due to the
train being a little late but it was no issue and dinner orders hadn't closed
either. We had our backpacks and overnight bags each for the stay either end
so we would have clean clothes. We took these to the room and went back for
dinner.
The menu had a choice of about 6 or 7 meals for under $10 and all were very
large serves. Some options were chili concarne, thai chicken, pasta, burger
and nachos. It was a great wholesome feed. There is also a bar and the prices
are great! The dining and common area is spacious and has plenty of things to
do like pool table, swimming pool, games plus internet. It was great to chill
out there for a bit with all the backpackers from so many different countries.
The hostel has free breakfast from 7am - 8am so we filled up ready for the day
ahead. While there we also hired a locker for the week we would be gone to keep
our overnight bags in.. a whole $3 for as long as you need!
I had the issue of metho and matches to sort out before our boat left at 8.45am
so I talked to the manager at reception. I had considered hiring a taxi to take
us somewhere and then drop us at the harbour. However she said there was a store
up the road open at 7am (on a Sunday, which is rare for the bay) and even rang
ahead to check they had some. Then she even offered the use of one of the rental
pushbikes to go up the road to get it! *More about the Colonial Village YHA
here.
We then walked to the boat harbour to find the Kingfisher Bay terminal where we would catch out prebooked catamaran to the island. This had cost $55, which is a bit pricey and one of the barges would be cheaper but it is very comfortable and faster. Next time we will probably take a barge. The walk from the hostel to the harbour was probably 10 - 15 minutes. We began to realise already that our packs were too heavy. (see about our gear list here). We had trouble finding the terminal but asked a lady who was out for a walk and she didn't just point the way.. she actually walked there with us. I always find people in Hervey Bay to be very friendly. (It is down a road just past the Mantra resort.) The boat ride past all the small islands in the bay is lovely, very scenic. *There is a video here of some of the 30 - 45 minute trip.
Other interesting sites: Free Stock
Photos, Australian Heritage Places,
Fraser Island